Improvement in metallic burial-cases



M. M. & G. HERSMAN'. Metallic Burial-Gase.

Patented Ja'n. 29,1878.

lun/EAFVEW@ MWA/7,

"WVT'NEI-EEEE- N.PEI'ERS, FHOTo-LITHOGRAPNER. w/ASHINGTON/D.y CV

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL M. HERsMANAND "GECRGEHERSMAN, Y'or HERsMAN, ILLINOIS.-

IMPRCVEMENT IN METALLIC BURIAL-CASES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 199,708., dated January 29, 1878; application filed December 27, 1877.

- ing drawings, which form part of this specification.

' Our invention relates to an improvement in metallic burial cases, caskets, and coftins; and it consists in the arrangement and combination of parts, whereby the coffin or casket is made sufficiently strong to bear up against the pressure of earth upon it, is hermetically sealed, and is braced and strengthened upon the inside, means being adapted for sewing the lining of the 00mn or casket in place, as

will be more fullydescribed hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings represent our invention.

c represents the body of the coffin, which is made of sheet metal of any suitable kind, and

" which has a V-shaped groove, c, made around its top edge for the purpose of receiving the lower edges of the top b. In this groove c will be placed cement, rubber, or any suitable substance which will form an air-tight joint all around.. The top b is also made of sheet metal, and `is made elliptical or half-round in cross-section, so as to enable it to bear up against the weight of earth upon it, and thus prevent it from being crushed in upon the body. Through this lid, over the upper end of the body, is made an opening, which is covered over by a pane of glass, d, for the purpose of allowing the body tobe seen after the lid has been fastened down. Upon the top of the lid are made ways or guides e, upon which the cover g slides, for the purpose of moving up over the glass, and thus preventing it from being broken. As this cover slides freelyback and forth, the glass can be exposed to view or covered up whenever desired.

To the inside of the cofiin, above the lower ends of the body, is secured a receptacle, h, of

any suitable kind, in which is to be placed any chemicals which will generate carbonio-acid or sulphurous-acid gas, for the purpose of absorbing all the oxygen of the body, and thus preventing it om decaying.

The groove c around the inside edge of the casket is formed by a plate, t', which is secured to the inside of the coffin around the edge, like a lining, and this plate t is then braced and supported in position by the V-shaped braces l, which are soldered vertically to the inside of the body. This groove c may also be formed by bending over the top edges, as shown, and then making a series of holes through it, so that the lining may be attached directly to it without the intervention of an intermediate plate for this purpose. These braces serve to brace and strengthen the sides of the cotlin, support the plate t in position, and, having a sharp point, s, upon their upper ends, serve also asa means of fastening the lining of the coffin in position. Secured to the inside of the plate t', by means of solder or in any other suitable manner, is a plate, o, which has its upper edge inclined slightly inward, and is perforated all along its upper edge, so that the lining of the coffin may be secured directly to it. If so desired, the edge of the plate `t may be perforated in this manner, and the lining seweddirectly to it, instead of the addition of another plate, as already described.

A coffin, casket, or case constructed as above described will be found to be very light, cheap, and durable, and being provided with a gasgenerator inside for the purpose of preventing the decay of the body, bodies buried in one of these caskets will be preserved for an indefinite length of time.

The handles for the purpose of carrying this' coffin will be attached to the wooden case in which this casket is to be inclosed before being lowered into the grave. l

We are aware that it is not new to make a coin of sheet metal, and that it is not new to form the groove around the top edge of the cofn to receive the cement by securing an additional "piece to the inside of the coffin. Our invention consists in making this groove receive the cement, and at the same time form a support for the lining.

'Having thus described our invention, We claim- 1. The lid b, provided with the Ways or guides e and slide-lid g, for the purpose of protecting the glass d, substantially as shown.

2. The V-shaped braces, having a sharp point at their upper end for the purpose of supporting the lining` of the coffin in position7 substantially as speoed.

3. In a burial case or oofn, the groove c, formed .by turning over the top edge of the sides, which edge is also furnished with a series of holes for the attachment of the lining, substantially as shown. 1

In testimony that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto set our hands and seals.

MIoHAEL M. IIERsMAN. [L s] 4 GEORGE IIERsMAN. [L s] i Witnesses:

' J AMES K. HARPER,

WILLIAM R. ANGEL. 

